Wisconsin Veteran Benefits (2026 Guide)
A complete guide to state-level benefits for veterans living in Wisconsin, including property tax exemptions, education programs, employment preference, and more. These benefits are in addition to your federal VA benefits.
Official source: Wisconsin veterans affairs agency — applications, forms, and current filing deadlines come from the state directly.
Benefits at a Glance
Wisconsin's veteran benefits include the Wisconsin GI Bill — a state-funded education benefit that provides free tuition for qualifying veterans and their dependents at University of Wisconsin System schools. Wisconsin also offers property tax credits, full military retirement pay exemption, and a veterans home system.
Getting help in Wisconsin
Accredited claims help
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
Phone: (800) 947-8387
2135 Rimrock Road, PO Box 7843, Madison, WI 53707-7843
Verified September 2026. Call to confirm before you travel.
Local veterans offices
Every county in Wisconsin is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Locate Your CVSO/TVSO (association — WDVA lists none)
Financial help: county aid to needy veterans (Wis. Stat. 45.81-45.84, funded by the § 45.86 county levy)
Verified September 2026.
Not sure what you qualify for yet? The briefing takes about three minutes and needs no signup.
Start the briefingProperty Tax Exemption
Refundable income tax credit equal to the property taxes paid on the home, for 100% or IU-rated veterans
Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit: equal to the property taxes an eligible veteran or unremarried surviving spouse paid during the year on their principal dwelling in Wisconsin, claimed on the Wisconsin income tax return. The part of the credit above your income tax is paid to you. Eligible veterans served on active duty under honorable conditions, have a 100% service-connected disability rating or a 100% rating based on individual unemployability, live in Wisconsin now, and were Wisconsin residents at entry or for any 5 consecutive years after entry. Get certified by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs first. Unremarried surviving spouses also eligible.
Income Tax Benefits
Military retirement pay fully exempt
Wisconsin fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation is also tax-free.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Disabled Veteran Recreation Card ($7) at 50%+ and fishing license ($3) at 70%+
Wisconsin residents with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more, or who are individually unemployable, can buy the annual Resident Disabled Veteran Recreation Card for $7, covering fishing, small game, vehicle park admission, Heritage Hill Park admission and the State Trail pass. Residents rated 70% or more (or individually unemployable, or receiving a non-service-connected VA pension) can buy a $3 annual fishing-only license. Returning resident veterans can get a one-time free small game, archery, gun deer or annual fishing license within 365 days of discharge (2013 Wisconsin Act 20).
Education Benefits
Wisconsin GI Bill: up to 128 credits free at UW/tech colleges
Wisconsin GI Bill pays full tuition and segregated fees for eligible veterans and dependents at UW System and Wisconsin Technical College schools. Up to 8 semesters or 128 credits (whichever is greater). Dependents eligible if veteran has 30%+ disability. VetEd Grant also available for tuition reimbursement based on service length.
Employment & Hiring Preference
Veterans preference in state civil service
Wisconsin grants veterans preference in state civil service — eligible veterans receive preference in appointment and retention. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development provides dedicated veteran employment services.
Vehicles & DMV
Free disabled veteran license plates
Free "Disabled Veteran" license plates for veterans with service-connected disability.
State Parks
Free park and trail pass at 70%+; park admission in the $7 Recreation Card at 50%+
Wisconsin's free Resident Honor Admission Pass, for residents with a 70% or greater service-connected disability or former POWs, covers state park admission and the State Trail pass (two-year or lifetime; apply through a County Veteran Service Officer). The $7 Resident Disabled Veteran Recreation Card for ratings of 50% or more also includes vehicle park admission.
Housing & Veterans Homes
Wisconsin Veterans Homes
Wisconsin operates 3 Veterans Homes (King, Union Grove, Chippewa Falls) providing 24-hour skilled nursing care. Contact WDVA: 1-800-WIS-VETS.
Veterans in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to roughly 300,000 veterans, with military connections to Fort McCoy (one of the Army's busiest training installations), the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, and Volk Field Air National Guard Base. The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison and the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee anchor the state's VA healthcare network. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs operates three state veterans homes (King, Union Grove, and Chippewa Falls), and in each Wisconsin county the county board elects a county veterans service officer, or the county executive or administrator appoints one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Veteran Benefits
Does Wisconsin offer property tax exemptions for veterans?
Refundable income tax credit equal to the property taxes paid on the home, for 100% or IU-rated veterans. Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit: equal to the property taxes an eligible veteran or unremarried surviving spouse paid during the year on their principal dwelling in Wisconsin, claimed on the Wisconsin income tax return. The part of the credit above your income tax is paid to you. Eligible veterans served on active duty under honorable conditions, have a 100% service-connected disability rating or a 100% rating based on individual unemployability, live in Wisconsin now, and were Wisconsin residents at entry or for any 5 consecutive years after entry. Get certified by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs first. Unremarried surviving spouses also eligible.
Are military retirement benefits taxed in Wisconsin?
Military retirement pay fully exempt. Wisconsin fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation is also tax-free.
What education benefits does Wisconsin offer veterans?
Wisconsin GI Bill: up to 128 credits free at UW/tech colleges. Wisconsin GI Bill pays full tuition and segregated fees for eligible veterans and dependents at UW System and Wisconsin Technical College schools. Up to 8 semesters or 128 credits (whichever is greater). Dependents eligible if veteran has 30%+ disability. VetEd Grant also available for tuition reimbursement based on service length.
Do veterans get free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses in Wisconsin?
Disabled Veteran Recreation Card ($7) at 50%+ and fishing license ($3) at 70%+. Wisconsin residents with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more, or who are individually unemployable, can buy the annual Resident Disabled Veteran Recreation Card for $7, covering fishing, small game, vehicle park admission, Heritage Hill Park admission and the State Trail pass. Residents rated 70% or more (or individually unemployable, or receiving a non-service-connected VA pension) can buy a $3 annual fishing-only license. Returning resident veterans can get a one-time free small game, archery, gun deer or annual fishing license within 365 days of discharge (2013 Wisconsin Act 20).
Does Wisconsin give veterans hiring preference for state jobs?
Veterans preference in state civil service. Wisconsin grants veterans preference in state civil service — eligible veterans receive preference in appointment and retention. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development provides dedicated veteran employment services.
Are there veterans homes or housing programs in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Veterans Homes. Wisconsin operates 3 Veterans Homes (King, Union Grove, Chippewa Falls) providing 24-hour skilled nursing care. Contact WDVA: 1-800-WIS-VETS.
Do veterans get free or discounted state park access in Wisconsin?
Free park and trail pass at 70%+; park admission in the $7 Recreation Card at 50%+. Wisconsin's free Resident Honor Admission Pass, for residents with a 70% or greater service-connected disability or former POWs, covers state park admission and the State Trail pass (two-year or lifetime; apply through a County Veteran Service Officer). The $7 Resident Disabled Veteran Recreation Card for ratings of 50% or more also includes vehicle park admission.
Want the full picture?
Wisconsin benefits sit alongside federal compensation, healthcare, education, housing, and employment benefits. The optional briefing walks through what may apply to your specific service.
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